Week eighteen is the typical moment for the anatomy scan — the most detailed imaging test of pregnancy. It is painless, but usually takes longer than earlier scans, because the staff assess many structures. It is worth arriving prepared: with documents, a list of questions and spare time.
What to do in week 18
- Check at reception whether and when a referral is needed.
- Ask about the length of the test and any preparation required.
- Write a list of questions for the person performing the test in an app.
- Plan who will go with you, and check whether the facility admits a companion.
- Reserve time in your calendar for the journey and waiting too.
What to bring to the anatomy scan
Practical preparation comes down to documents and comfort. The test can run long, and you sometimes spend more time in the waiting room than in the examination room. It is worth having with you everything the facility might ask for, plus something to drink for afterwards.
- Your pregnancy record and a referral, if the facility requires one.
- Results of earlier tests and the report of the previous ultrasound.
- Your ID and the facility's phone number.
- Water and something to eat for after the test.
- A phone or camera if you want to keep a picture — ask beforehand whether the facility allows recording.
What to ask at reception before the test
Most misunderstandings come from assumptions nobody verified. Ask at reception whether the test requires any particular preparation, because facilities differ here. Also find out how much time to plan for, who performs the test, and when you will receive the report.
- Is a referral needed for the test?
- How long does the visit take, and does the facility ask for any preparation?
- Who performs the test — the doctor managing your care or the imaging center's staff?
- When and where will you pick up the test report?
- Can you come with a companion?
How to get through the wait for the report
The test report is a document for the staff, not a test you have to solve on your own. After the scan, write down what was said in the examination room and put the document in your folder. Gather questions that come up later in one place and ask them at the appointment with the doctor managing your care.
Whether you can bring a loved one to the test
Facilities have different rules, so the question about a companion is best asked when booking the appointment, not on the day of the test. In some imaging centers one loved one may be present; in others it is limited because of the size of the room. If you care about your partner or a loved one being there, say so in advance and ask how it works in practice.
- Ask whether one companion may be present at the test.
- Establish whether the companion waits in the waiting room or comes into the examination room.
- Warn your loved one that the test can be long and that part of the time will be spent waiting.
- If a loved one cannot be present, ask for a written report or a conversation right after the test.
How much time to reserve and how to plan the day around the test
The anatomy scan takes longer than earlier tests, because the staff assess many structures, and the baby sometimes does not settle into a convenient position. Add to that the journey, registration and the wait for the report. So plan roughly half a day without other obligations, so you do not have to rush off halfway through.
- Reserve time for the journey, registration and waiting, not just the test itself.
- Do not schedule matters that require punctuality on that day.
- Ask at reception at what time the facility issues reports.
- If you travel by public transport, check the return timetable in advance.
What to ask before you lie down on the couch
A short conversation before the test brings order to the whole visit. Ask what method is used and whether the facility asks you to arrive with a full bladder, because practices vary. Also find out whether the staff comment on the image as they go, and how they pass any concerns to the doctor managing your care.
- What method is used for the test?
- Does the facility ask you to arrive with a full bladder?
- Will you be told what can be seen during the test?
- When and how will the report reach the doctor managing your care?
- Who do you ask if questions come up after you get home?
Tip
Write your questions in an app before the test — it is easier to ask about details when you do not have to recall anything in a hurry.
When to contact a doctor
- • Bleeding or fluid leaking from the vagina is a reason to contact your doctor or midwife.
- • If painful, repeated contractions appear, call the facility.
- • If the report contains wording you do not understand, ask the staff rather than searching for interpretations online.
- • With a fever and abdominal pain, do not wait for the scheduled visit to make contact.
- • In a life-threatening situation, call 112.
When to call a doctor or midwife
- • Bleeding or fluid leaking from the vagina.
- • Painful contractions that return regularly.
- • Fever together with abdominal pain.
- • Sudden weakness or fainting.
In a life-threatening situation call 112 or go to the nearest maternity hospital admission room — do not wait for a follow-up appointment.
Week 18 in detail
Week 18: how your baby is growing — Bell pepper
At eighteen weeks your baby is about the size of a bell pepper (around 142 mm). Fingerprints have appeared on those tiny fingers — unique, one of a kind in the whole world. The nervous system is being coated in myelin, a sheath that speeds up nerve signal transmission.
Development at week 18
- Fingerprints — a one-of-a-kind imprint.
- Myelination of the nervous system.
- Hearing is developing — reacting to loud sounds.
Tip
Midwife's tip: this is a beautiful week for reflection — your baby is truly one of a kind. Capture the little moments in your Journal.
Sources
- NHS — You and your baby at 18 weeks — www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/week-by-week/13-to-27-weeks/18-weeks-pregnant/
- Mayo Clinic — Pregnancy week by week — www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/pregnancy-week-by-week
Week 18: what's happening in your body
At eighteen weeks your appetite can be ravenous and your cravings surprising. That's normal: your energy needs are rising slightly, and hormones and shifting taste buds are doing their thing. The key is listening to your body in moderation.
How to eat smart in the second trimester
- In the second trimester your needs rise by about 340 kcal a day.
- Go for nutrient-rich sources: vegetables, protein, whole grains.
- Sweets and fast food — occasionally, not as the base.
Cravings — do they mean anything?
- Cravings are a normal part of pregnancy.
- They don't always signal a nutrient deficiency.
- Moderation and variety matter more than a 'perfect' diet.
Tip
Midwife's tip: don't eat 'for two' in quantity — eat for two in quality. Your needs rise moderately; they don't double.
Sources
- Polish National Center for Nutrition Education — eating in pregnancy — ncez.pzh.gov.pl
- NHS — Healthy eating in pregnancy — www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/keeping-well/have-a-healthy-diet/
Week 18: Unique fingerprints — what you can do today
Week eighteen is a great time to start thinking about a name. Even if you have plenty of time, browsing lists together and talking about your favorite names is a lovely ritual — and a concrete task for this week.
Your task for this week
- Make a list of names — you'll find the Names tile in the app.
- Write down 3–5 names each that you both like.
- Talk with your partner about your favorites.
How to choose a name
- Check how it sounds with the surname.
- Think about the nicknames it might invite.
- No rush — you still have time.
Tip
Midwife's tip: a name is the first story you'll give your child. Choose it with your heart — not under pressure from others.
Sources
- NHS — You and your baby at 18 weeks — www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/week-by-week/13-to-27-weeks/18-weeks-pregnant/
Related guides
- Mid-Pregnancy (Anomaly) Ultrasound — What It Checks and How to Prepare
The mid-trimester anomaly scan is the most detailed imaging test of pregnancy. We explain what it evaluates, how to prepare, how to read the report, and what the pathway looks like in the Polish healthcare system.
Medical disclaimer
This article is educational in nature and does not replace advice from a doctor, midwife or other specialist. If in doubt, contact your attending physician.
This week is awaiting medical review: the page is not indexed and carries no ads until the content has been verified by a medically qualified person.
Sources
We base our content on these documents. Every medical claim in the guide is reflected in one of the publications below.
- NHS — "20-week screening scan" (anatomy scan) — www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/your-pregnancy-care/20-week-scan/
- NHS — "Ultrasound scans" (ultrasound tests in pregnancy) — www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/your-pregnancy-care/ultrasound-scans/
- NICE — "Antenatal care" (NG201) — www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng201
- Ministry of Health — "Organizational standards of perinatal care" (regulation) — www.gov.pl/web/zdrowie/standard-organizacyjny-opieki-okoloporodowej
- NHS — You and your baby at 18 weeks — www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/week-by-week/13-to-27-weeks/18-weeks-pregnant/
- Mayo Clinic — Pregnancy week by week — www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/pregnancy-week-by-week
- Polish National Center for Nutrition Education — eating in pregnancy — ncez.pzh.gov.pl
- NHS — Healthy eating in pregnancy — www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/keeping-well/have-a-healthy-diet/